The chaos of the 1904 St. Louis marathon showcases poor conditions

The 1904 St. Louis Olympic marathon, held in scorching heat, is notorious for extreme conditions and inadequate planning. Only 14 of the 32 athletes finished the race amid harsh terrain, dust, and minimal hydration. Notable incidents included Fred Lorz accepting a car ride during the race and Thomas Hicks being aided across the finish line after ingesting strychnine. These events highlight the lack of safety standards in early marathons. Today, it is regarded as a cautionary tale in sports history.

• 11:02 AMYahoo Sports — The chaos of the 1904 St. Louis marathon, a race that pushed human limits too far